ByteDance Shifts US Publishing to Skystone in Major Restructuring

In a significant shift within the mobile gaming industry, popular titles like *Mobile Legends: Bang Bang* and others are transitioning to a new publisher. ByteDance, the original publisher, will no longer distribute these games in the US. Instead, Skystone Games has stepped in to take over, introducing new region-specific versions tailored for the American market.

Earlier this year, the buzz around the TikTok ban drew widespread attention, but for mobile gamers, the real shock came from the sudden removal of top games like *Marvel Snap* and *Mobile Legends: Bang Bang* from app stores. This move was a direct result of political pressure aimed at ByteDance to divest from its social media platform. Despite TikTok's eventual return, many of these games did not experience a swift reinstatement.

*Marvel Snap* was among the first to announce a switch to a new publisher, with Skystone Games taking the reins. Skystone now oversees virtually all of ByteDance's previously US-published titles, ensuring continuity for players who feared losing access to their favorite games.

For players, this transition is a welcome development, promising either uninterrupted gameplay or access to US-specific versions of beloved titles. However, the underlying political maneuvering that led to this change is less than ideal, highlighting the vulnerability of games to become pawns in larger political games.

As the deadline for a potential TikTok sale approaches, the handling of apps and their associated games remains a critical issue. The precedent set by these events could have far-reaching implications for the future of mobile gaming, emphasizing the need for stability and clarity in the industry.